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Obama talks race and gender in Philly...

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Phew, lots to respond to...but at least we're back to the speech.

AmishNazi said:
When did someone laying out cause and effect cases become scapegoating? God no sense of responsibility in this country anymore.

When the cause and effect have been laid bare for 30 years, it's done with. Without forgiveness, acceptance, whatever "resolution" word you prefer solutions aren't attainable. Constantly pointing to causes from decades past eventually leads to resentment and an unwillingness to engage further.

So basically you're disappointed that though Obama is completely right, he is not completely original. You would rather someone change the landscape of the argument for the sake of your own entertainment instead of actively looking at the problems we face, the cause of these problems, and the solutions we must strive for.

Quaint.

It's an extension of the previous, pre-Iraq pre gang-banging discussion in this thread. I don't see how a speech can be world changing and "water shed" without some semblance of originality. I don't think you can necessarily effect change just by rephrasing previous ideas excellently.

soul creator, I didn't overlook that passage, I just felt (again, what I took away) that the rhetorical emphasis was more on the cause (the Jesse Jackson approach) and less on the solutions (the Cosby approach).

gcubed, I'm discussing this speech specifically, not Obama in general. It may well be that he is more than this speech, but I'm not going to read his book. If I can't get a feel for the guy after THIS never-ending political season, then no book is going to do it any better.

The same way you unite anyone, through discussion. That's part of the problem, people talk about race relations, but then they sit there and just hold out as evil the separatists like Farrrakhan and the KKK. Like it or not, they're also Americans. So it doesn't hurt to actually talk things out and listen, even with those whose views you vehemently oppose.

Clearly. I was just poking a little fun. Although, discussions with extremists is different than counting one of them as your personal mentor.
 
thekad said:
So basically you're disappointed that though Obama is completely right, he is not completely original. You would rather someone change the landscape of the argument for the sake of your own entertainment instead of actively looking at the problems we face, the cause of these problems, and the solutions we must strive for.

Quaint.

I won't speak for eznark, but I think the issue here is that, America has no problem with a black president, so long as she doesn't remind us of her ethnicity. The term "post-racial" gets thrown about constantly, with little irony, by the mainstream media, and I think that's illustrative of what Americans want. They want to feel good about electing a black president, without having to feel bad about the consequences of slavery, Jim Crow, and segregation. Anyone who is willing to ignore that is considered "post-racial" and thus palatable to America. However, Obama's pastor isn't interested in whitewashing history, and thus Obama's own (selective) memory of American history is called into question. Right now, those who demand that Obama distance himself from Rev. Wright want to know whether Obama really wants to ignore history or not. "Is Obama going to throw race in our faces?", "does Obama want to play ball?", these - to me - are the implicit questions being asked. And when Obama makes even passing references to America's disgraceful history, alarm bells go off.
 
AmishNazi said:

What do you think of affirmative action, let people get in on their academics alone or no?

What do you think of the federal reserve nannying the economy, valiant steward or evil regulator?

What do you think of cities banning trans fat, health conscious or anti-consumer choice?

What do you think of public smoking bans, health conscious or anti-consumer?

What do you think of consensual cannibalism, (Meiwes) murder, or personal choice?

What do you think of social security, necessary program that should survive for all time, or program that younger generations should be able to opt out of?

I'm guessing here, but your opinion probably differs from mine (I avoided drugs, prostitution, etc. because I'm guessing you already support them, not because I don't)
 
Tamanon said:
So, what's the message then?:P


blame whitey?


God no sense of responsibility in this country anymore.

I'm not responsible for things that happened before I was born. I'm responsible for my life and my actions. I feel no "white guilt" any more than I feel guilty for have German ancestors.

That was the summation of Cosby's message when I heard him speak, and what struck a cord with me. Until you stop blaming others for your situation you can't help yourself.

Of course, I lean "libertopian" as well, although I fancy myself more pragmatic that the label would suggest.
 
Dr. Kitty Muffins said:
Quick poll:


Does this speech end the discussion of Reverend Wright and his relationship with Obama or not?

I'd say after another day or 2 of punditry it will for the most part. Of course Hannity and Rush will continue to hammer it into the ground, but that's kinda what they do:P Hannity's started airing more and more clips of Rev Wright's statements, basically anything that mentions race, heh.
 
Dr. Kitty Muffins said:
Quick poll:


Does this speech end the discussion of Reverend Wright and his relationship with Obama or not?


Of course not. The fall campaign ad's write themselves, sadly.
 
CHYME said:
Aid to a LARGE extent = install, practically.
Not, in fact, literally. Therefore, false. "Install" suggests an individual person is hand-picked and then literally put in a position. "Aid" suggests an operation is "aided," and events, not the CIA, moved in such a way that Hussein gained power. Your assertion was incorrect, and I was right to say so. Now stop challenging reality and move on to the actual subject of this thread.
 
eznark said:
When the cause and effect have been laid bare for 30 years, it's done with. Without forgiveness, acceptance, whatever "resolution" word you prefer solutions aren't attainable. Constantly pointing to causes from decades past eventually leads to resentment and an unwillingness to engage further.

Without knowing the history behind a problem how can you ever hope to fix it. Thing is these things haven't been laid bare in the last few decades. When you have people thinking that slavery is the last thing that black people have the right to feel angry about that becomes abundantly clear.

I think it more lies in the fact that people that didn't grow up in those decades take it as a personal attack on them. Which it's not.
 
eznark said:
blame whitey?




I'm not responsible for things that happened before I was born. I'm responsible for my life and my actions. I feel no "white guilt" any more than I feel guilty for have German ancestors.

That was the summation of Cosby's message when I heard him speak, and what struck a cord with me. Until you stop blaming others for your situation you can't help yourself.

Of course, I lean "libertopian" as well, although I fancy myself more pragmatic that the label would suggest.

So that's all you got out of the entire speech was "blame whitey" eh? It sounds to me that no matter what you heard, you'd probably think that was the message.:P
 
Dr. Kitty Muffins said:
Quick poll:


Does this speech end the discussion of Reverend Wright and his relationship with Obama or not?
Nope. Because the networks will show 10-second sound bites from it on the evening news, and that will be the end of it. It should be shown in its entirety. It's really the best political speech of our time.
 
Dr_Cogent said:
US gives drugs to blacks and then arrests them?
US developed AIDs virus?
...
:lol

This isn't lies, hatred and propaganda?
.


Have you ever heard of the Tuskegee experiment?
 
kame-sennin said:
I won't speak for eznark, but I think the issue here is that, America has no problem with a black president, so long as she doesn't remind us of her ethnicity. The term "post-racial" gets thrown about constantly, with little irony, by the mainstream media, and I think that's illustrative of what Americans want. They want to feel good about electing a black president, without having to feel bad about the consequences of slavery, Jim Crow, and segregation. Anyone who is willing to ignore that is considered "post-racial" and thus palatable to America. However, Obama's pastor isn't interested in whitewashing history, and thus Obama's own (selective) memory of American history is called into question. Right now, those who demand that Obama distance himself from Rev. Wright want to know whether Obama really wants to ignore history or not. "Is Obama going to throw race in our faces?", "does Obama want to play ball?", these - to me - are the implicit questions being asked. And when Obama makes even passing references to America's disgraceful history, alarm bells go off.

I think I agree with all of that. Many, likes James Power in that other clusterfuck of a thread, want to either ignore the past or change it to fit their agenda. When reminded of the raw deal blacks and others have gotten in this country, otherwise well-thinking men and women shrink back under their rocks and don't want to deal with it.

edit: eznark is a libertopian. Now it all makes sense :lol
 
Here is his speech (part1) http://youtube.com/watch?v=ffxOSEj_sQM I'm watching it now.

I swear, Obama is the only candidate that can address the racial divisions of America, he can make factors to be considered clear on all sides of America.

The only presidential candidate I have ever felt like trusting, you can just see that he is really trying to make a difference.
 
Amir0x said:
Can you elaborate as to why this speech was 'nothing special', domokunrox, and point to other modern speeches about racism in America that are as profoundly complex and truthful and direct as this Obama speech was?

You can hate the man, dislike his politics, wish him gone - this speech, it transcends his candidacy. EVERY American should hear it, take it in, let it settle and then go out and do. It's the type of speech that crawls under your skin and makes you feel proud to be an American and simultaneously sad and guilty that you may, at times, harbor your own ignorance and racism.

If you can find any similar speech since Martin Luther King that has struck such a chord, that has been delivered as powerfully or as precisely, I will understand your position a little better.

People like to say Obama is 'just speeches', and at times that may be true. This however was exactly the reason why sometimes being a fucking brilliant public speaker can be an amazing asset.

Ok, first part of his speech is just nothing relevant. Then he basically tells his background. Basically he says that all of his family is part of every race and color (basically telling you he represents the values of every race and color). Then he basically says that white people support him. Then he addresses some damage control for Jeremiah Wright for himself, and then sort of attempted to make it seem somewhat justified. Then he basically says that nobody should be racist right now (which is sort of rediculous since you can't turn stereotyping thats been built up for many years off like a facet). He says it distorts realty, when the realty is that the statistics for the average black male to find himself in the federal prison is very real. The teen black pregnancy rate is very real. The gangs in oakland is very real. The homicide in oakland, richmond, LA, Laredo are all very real. Its not just blacks. Its everyone and the statistics are there, its VERY real guys. To say people amplify it and distort it is just being in denial.

Then he basically says that black people have struggled and many of them have been robbed of the american dream, and then suddenly hes implying that YOU ALL are robbing him of the american dream if you don't elect him.

Then I sort of laughed when he referanced the OJ simpson trial. Then he complains about the race card.

Then he goes, we shouldn't be talking about race.....DUH! Why the hell are you talking about it now? Why aren't we talking about the issues?

So he starts.

We don't agree. Its not that we don't have Healthcare! WE DON'T HAVE MONEY! MOST OF US CANNOT EVEN DO THE COPAY!

Then he goes onto saying the worst thing he could ever say and that welfare and immigration are the problem, and he plays both sides of the ball.

Theres a problem with the healthcare, theres a problem with jobs, theres a problem with education. Overall, theres a problem with money, right?

Whats your policy?

I already know it and you know what? Obama isn't aggressive enough in his tax laws.
You know who is? Clinton is
Those are the FACTS, don't be amused by the speech, be amused that he is passionate about the issues, but Clinton has the better solution. Think about that.
 
Gaborn said:
What do you think of affirmative action, let people get in on their academics alone or no?

Academics only. Only place I believe affirmative action has any place is college acceptance and even then as it stands now it's broken.

Gaborn said:
What do you think of the federal reserve nannying the economy, valiant steward or evil regulator?

I don't think a private entity should have Federal in the name for one. Much less control our money and a huge part of our economy.

Gaborn said:
What do you think of cities banning trans fat, health conscious or anti-consumer choice?

Anti-consumer choice. I do believe in trans fat labels though.

Gaborn said:
What do you think of public smoking bans, health conscious or anti-consumer?

Anti-consumer. Don't like the fact that a place allows smoking don't go.

Gaborn said:
What do you think of consensual cannibalism, (Meiwes) murder, or personal choice?

Don't know enough to spout a opinion.

Gaborn said:
What do you think of social security, necessary program that should survive for all time, or program that younger generations should be able to opt out of?

Opt out. I'm sorry the government has already proven that they are horrible investors.

Gaborn said:
I'm guessing here, but your opinion probably differs from mine (I avoided drugs, prostitution, etc. because I'm guessing you already support them, not because I don't)

I'm more of a libertarian, but the ideals will never take off because the country wants to continue living at home with it's daddy. Instead of standing on it's own two feet.
 
One reason I wont vote for Obama is BECAUSE he insists on talking about race. Politicians in general focus on this WAY too much. Its pointless and stupid and out of place in an era where professional athletes and celebrities and music stars are all different races and backgrounds.
 
Dr. Kitty Muffins said:
Quick poll:


Does this speech end the discussion of Reverend Wright and his relationship with Obama or not?

Nope some fluff speach won't do anything. Instead of hiding behind a speach he should go and face the tough questions from one of his critics. He can also quit bitching about the media showing the clips over and over. The media kissed his ass until the last few days it is about time he faced what the other canidates have. I don't know how he can handle being president when he can't handle this tiny situation with out crying.

I hope this is the start of people finally figuring out Obama is no different than any other person in washington. He will spin and lie just like the others.
 
When did he ever say immigration and welfare was the problem? Wow, must've gone through the hillaryis44 mirror:P

quest: Whose questions should he answer?

innotech: Um....he really didn't even bring race into the equation, the media did:P
 
AmishNazi said:
I'm more of a libertarian, but the ideals will never take off because the country wants to continue living at home with it's daddy. Instead of standing on it's own two feet.

Fair enough, you honestly surprised me. I don't know why, but for some reason I had you pegged as more liberal than libertarian. I agree with everything you said though. I know we'll never have a true libertarian society as I define it, but I guess all we can do is work to get closer to it.
 
AmishNazi said:
Without knowing the history behind a problem how can you ever hope to fix it. Thing is these things haven't been laid bare in the last few decades. When you have people thinking that slavery is the last thing that black people have the right to feel angry about that becomes abundantly clear.

I think it more lies in the fact that people that didn't grow up in those decades take it as a personal attack on them. Which it's not.


I'm not saying that slavery isn't something to be angry about but at some point in order to succeed you have to move on. At some point slavery stopped being an explanation and started being an excuse.

edit: eznark is a libertopian. Now it all makes sense

I'm stoked my political leanings have solved all your woes!
 
Innotech said:
Politicians in general focus on this WAY too much. Its pointless and stupid and out of place in an era where professional athletes and celebrities and music stars are all different races and backgrounds.

Wait wait.... What politician focuses on race way too much?
 
Innotech said:
One reason I wont vote for Obama is BECAUSE he insists on talking about race. Politicians in general focus on this WAY too much. Its pointless and stupid and out of place in an era where professional athletes and celebrities and music stars are all different races and backgrounds.
I don't normally insult people on this bored,but i'm going to go ahead and say that you are fucking dumb if you really believe that.
 
eznark said:
I'm not saying that slavery isn't something to be angry about but at some point in order to succeed you have to move on. At some point slavery stopped being an explanation and started being an excuse.

Nope.
 
quest said:
Nope some fluff speach won't do anything. Instead of hiding behind a speach he should go and face the tough questions from one of his critics. He can also quit bitching about the media showing the clips over and over. The media kissed his ass until the last few days it is about time he faced what the other canidates have. I don't know how he can handle being president when he can't handle this tiny situation with out crying.

He was on all the networks before this speech, including FOX. What else specifically can he do to address this issue?

Crying? Huh?
 
Tamanon said:
When did he ever say immigration and welfare was the problem? Wow, must've gone through the hillaryis44 mirror:P

quest: Whose questions should he answer?

innotech: Um....he really didn't even bring race into the equation, the media did:P


Personally I would never vote Hillary, but I am still open to Obama, which is why I am intensely interested in this particular speech and how he handles his incendiary minister.
 
eznark said:
Once a politician gives a speech on race without framing it in a victim mentality, that will be the watershed moment in American racial relations.

Did you actually pay attention to the speech?

Obama said:
For the African-American community, that path means embracing the burdens of our past without becoming victims of our past. It means continuing to insist on a full measure of justice in every aspect of American life. But it also means binding our particular grievances – for better health care, and better schools, and better jobs - to the larger aspirations of all Americans -- the white woman struggling to break the glass ceiling, the white man whose been laid off, the immigrant trying to feed his family. And it means taking full responsibility for own lives – by demanding more from our fathers, and spending more time with our children, and reading to them, and teaching them that while they may face challenges and discrimination in their own lives, they must never succumb to despair or cynicism; they must always believe that they can write their own destiny.

Ironically, this quintessentially American – and yes, conservative – notion of self-help found frequent expression in Reverend Wright’s sermons. But what my former pastor too often failed to understand is that embarking on a program of self-help also requires a belief that society can change.

The profound mistake of Reverend Wright’s sermons is not that he spoke about racism in our society. It’s that he spoke as if our society was static; as if no progress has been made; as if this country – a country that has made it possible for one of his own members to run for the highest office in the land and build a coalition of white and black; Latino and Asian, rich and poor, young and old -- is still irrevocably bound to a tragic past. But what we know -- what we have seen – is that America can change. That is true genius of this nation. What we have already achieved gives us hope – the audacity to hope – for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.

Bolded for easier comprehension.

Edit: less bolding for less eye strain
 
Innotech said:
One reason I wont vote for Obama is BECAUSE he insists on talking about race. Politicians in general focus on this WAY too much. Its pointless and stupid and out of place in an era where professional athletes and celebrities and music stars are all different races and backgrounds.

are you serious? your arbiter of race relations is the fucking music industry! Also since when before this speech has Obama made race a strong point of his campaign? If im not mistaken its been hillary and the fauxnews ilk that have started this huge conversation of racial divide.
 
The articles I'm reading on the MSM sites right now have surprised me. For example, Newsweek has a good summary:

http://www.newsweek.com/id/124122/page/1

Most noteworthy are how lengthy the quotations from the speech are. It's not a very sound-bite friendly speech, and the media seem to be acknowledging that with huge experts intead of trying to use just a line or two.
 
Innotech said:
they shouldnt focus on race at all. Few people give a shit anymore.

Doesn't the fact that Obama had to make a speech prove that assertion wrong?

eznark: If you really believe that slavery, Jim Crowe, segregation, and discrimination doesn't explain a lot of the problems in American society today, then there really is no hope for you.
 
Jonm1010 said:
are you serious? your arbiter of race relations is the fucking music industry! Also since when before this speech has Obama made race a strong point of his campaign? If im not mistaken its been hillary and the fauxnews ilk that have started this huge conversation of racial divide.
there is no racial divide. there is however, a very distinct character divide.
 
quest said:
Nope some fluff speach won't do anything. Instead of hiding behind a speach he should go and face the tough questions from one of his critics. He can also quit bitching about the media showing the clips over and over. The media kissed his ass until the last few days it is about time he faced what the other canidates have. I don't know how he can handle being president when he can't handle this tiny situation with out crying.

I hope this is the start of people finally figuring out Obama is no different than any other person in washington. He will spin and lie just like the others.
Oh shit, it's back. Don't you have to be spending your time complaining about how your taxes are going to go up?
 
Innotech said:
there is no racial divide. there is however, a very distinct character divide.

Thank god we're done with racism guys. Turns out we didn't need anything else, innotech was the harbinger this whole time. Thanks dude!

Now I don't need my black friend anymore, because there's no need to fake not being racist!
 
eznark said:
I'm not saying that slavery isn't something to be angry about but at some point in order to succeed you have to move on. At some point slavery stopped being an explanation and started being an excuse.

That's not what I'm saying. I'm saying that every time some one says that black people may have been held down you get a shit ton of "slavery was centuries ago, get over it" type of responses. Slavery is largely used as an excuse.

Though if you look at Reverend Wrights generation and how hard the had to fight to end segregation, the way it played in the news then, all the black leaders that were either physically assassinated or had their character assassinated, watching two presidents sympathetic to their cause be assassinated you begin to see why one might be angry or disenfranchised. To ignore these facts and say well I didn't live then so it doesn't matter does a horrible disservice to discussion of the issues.
 
NullPointer said:
Did you actually pay attention to the speech?



Bolded for easier comprehension.

Edit: less bolding for less eye strain

I addressed this excerpt earlier, I'll refrain from snarky comprehension comments
 
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